The well-groomed man had purposely uttered those words to convey all of that to Rui without actually saying it.

"Relax Senior Quarrier," He smiled. "While it is true that our paths have indirectly crossed in, perhaps, not the most ideal circumstances, it is also true that I have a great amount of respect and admiration for you. Our ministry had predicted that it would at least take another two generations for a Martial Squire to break the record for the youngest breakthrough to the Senior Realm. Your very existence defies our predictions, pleasantly of course."

His smile deepened, gaining a hint of smugness. "You can rest assured that I most certainly will raise my head particularly high during the next convention in the Panamic Martial Federation."

Rui was surprised, he expected a much colder approach from the man. "I am glad to have been of service," Rui carefully said. He couldn't hint at the existence of the Hungry Pain technique in such an environment. "As members of the Martial Art sector, we have an obligation to contribute to the welfare of Martial Art. I was merely doing my part."

"You have done more than you can imagine, Senior Quarrier," The Minister's tone was rich with graciousness. "It is truly fascinating how one Martial Senior is able to develop as many powerful and revolutionary techniques as frequently and easily as you are able to. It is no wonder that the many Martial Sects that extend to my ministry have mourned your stance regarding Martial Sects quite clear."

Rui's eyes lit up with surprise. "I was not aware that the Martial Sects of the empire extend to the Ministry of Martial Art."

"Why would they not?" The Martial Minister slowly began walking towards the nearest balcony. "Martial Sects fundamentally strive for the development and growth of their respective fields through any feasible measure. The Martial Union has its own budget for growth and development, and so does the Ministry of Martial Art. In fact, the Ministry has an even larger budget for Martial Art as far as the pure monetary amount goes. Regrettably, we are still not as effective at the growth of Martial Art as the Martial Union. Nonetheless, the Martial Sects still compete over the annual fiscal budget allocation as they do in the Martial Union."

"I see," Rui murmured. "It is a shame too," The Minister heaved a sigh. "If one were to combine the monetary funding from the mind-boggling astronomical wealth of the Royal Treasury with the sheer effectiveness and efficiency of the Martial Union's application that yields much higher return-on-investments, the Kandrian Empire would truly rise among the other powerhouses Sage-level nations, barring the Britannian Empire of course."

Rui narrowed his eyes as he caught onto the political inclination of the Minister of Martial Art. "Pardon me if this question is wrong or intrusive, Minister, but are you a proponent of the Merger Movement?"

The Merger Faction had been introduced to Rui many years ago by Senior Colonel Geringar. It was a political faction that advocated for the merging of the two largest power blocs in the Kandrian Empire, the government and the Martial Union. The reason was similar to the Martial Supremacist faction's, but it did not believe in simply handing the reigns to the entire nation to the Martial Union. Rather it believed in a carefully integrated system with many checks and balances within the new hybrid ruling entity.

"How sharp of you, Senior Quarrier," The Minister of Martial Art smiled with a strange mystique. "You are correct, I am indeed a Merger. The Kandrian Empire has entered a historic period of time where a chance to change everything has appeared. Thus I, too, am rather eager to make full use of this opportunity."

"By joining the Raemina Faction?" Rui raised an eyebrow with skepticism. "Of the seven princes and princesses, Her Highness is the only one whose policies are most amenable to the Merger Faction," The Minister defended himself from the implicit accusation. "As the Minister of Martial Art, I am able to make a small but meaningful difference in the outcome of this cold war, as are you."

The two of them had already ended up in an isolated balcony. Rui noted the anti-sensory field that prevented their conversation from being leaked to others. Considering that their conversation thus far has been quite light, Rui could infer that the minister had yet to actually get to what he approached Rui for.

"I first took note of you long ago when you reached the finals of the Kandrian Martial Contest. I had known you were special at first glance." The Minister remarked. "Back then, a Martial Master had informed you of the inhuman vigor of your mind as well as signs of a nascent Martial Mind prototype. It is extremely rare for a Martial Artist to have developed the power of thought at such a young age and developed it to an extent that far exceeded the power of the body. Back then, I had marked you as one of the young growing talents to keep an eye out for."

He turned to Rui with piercing eyes. "My judgment was accurate, it was validated when you won us the final war of the Serevian Dungeon Wars, and then went on to kill a Martial Squire as a Martial Apprentice. We had already developed an extensive profile on the potency of your Martial Art."

He turned back, glancing at the town of Vargard stretching out in the distance. "It was a shame that the Martial Union refused to take greater initiative to actively help you develop your Martial Art and Martial Path. It is their policy that younger ones should be allowed to forge their own path if they wish to. Had I been able to, I would have made an effort to help you grow and to spread your Martial Art. I wasn't able to then, but since you've matured remarkably since then, the Martial Union will no longer interfere."

He turned to Rui, arriving at the crux of the reason he approached. "As the Minister of Martial Art, allow me to aid you in the creation of your own Martial Sect."This content © Nôv/elDr(a)m/a.Org.